Installing the Widebody Kit on my Datsun Restoration Ep. 3

Today I'll be fitting the wide body kit on my Datsun 280z restoration project. I get the widebody sanded, fitted, and bonded to the body of the car. I also make patch panels to help restore all the panels shaping the rear.
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WARNING: This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Have fun, but always think ahead, and remember that every project you try is AT YOUR OWN RISK.

[@landonmarx4753]

I would have cleaned up all that bad repair work. Then assessed where I was from there. Maybe added new sheet metal. They have so many patch panels now. Also would have a plan to fill the back/brace the fiberglass flares. So its not all dead space

[@antaltieri7154]

Adjustable roller stands are God's gift to fabricators working with fresh sheet and tube stock. Also hells yes tape reference lines!

[@GrindhousePerformance]

When you're right, you're right.... that was a royal pain haha

[@madman-ym7nw]

I put a IMS wide-body on the rear my car years ago before any panels were available I'm currently going back and fixing the same type of rust you covered up and building a proper inner fender

[@GrindhousePerformance]

That's a huge undertaking and I commend you for going back and doing it. I'm sure I'll wind up having to do the same at some point.

[@michalgc12]

Great video man, hope your channel blows up. Cheers from Reddit

[@GrindhousePerformance]

That's the hope! I'm so grateful for reddit's response to the channel. It's been difficult getting the content out to people just getting started

[@afoster902]

Great job 👏 I'm excited to watch all your progress. Thanks for sharing!

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Hey thank you so much!

[@stevegamble4549]

I have been doing some of the same things with my 78, lots if good ideas I have Frenched in a gas cap from 71 Lotus elan and installed Ferrari 250 GTO side marker lights.

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Those are some great donor parts, awesome.

[@marcianov3576]

Looks like a great series! Look forward to future videos 🤙🏽

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Thank you, I'm really grateful how many people are interested in what I'm doing here!

[@dekebell3307]

LMAO...thanks for sharing the sheet cutting! That was awesome!

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Sometimes I like to pretend like I know what I'm doing, that was not one of those times 🤣

[@joshharmon4691]

Love this project! Keep the content coming.

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Thank you Josh! I'm excited to share the process and learn as much as I can. Definitely outside my comfort zone in a lot of ways!

[@joshharmon4691]

@@GrindhousePerformance You are welcome. I have a non running 77 280z waiting in my backyard, been there for a few years. Busy making money on customer cars for now but someday my Z will get the full hooligan treatment so I am excited to see your build!

[@dennisschmitter7310]

Loving this build!!

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Hey thanks!

[@erichowelljr635]

I know I heard you say it in one of your videos, but I can’t remember who what when or where. Where did you get those fender flares

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Hey thanks! The fenders are from ZTrix.com and it's the 280YZ kit. 👍

[@heartlessgaming2250]

Because your bonding fiber glass to metal is there any risks of separation due to the different materials acting differently to temperature change?

[@GrindhousePerformance]

It's a great question and one I have been concerned about. The product I used did say it's able to bond dissimilar materials. I'm more concerned about the 40 year old chassis flexing causing a separation versus temperature expansion/ contraction, but I'm counting on having seen others go through this process with success. I'm hoping to not regret blending them rather then bolting them after some aggressive track days, but we will have to find out together!

[@Hangin_With_Shane]

Hey, just found your channel and like the content! I have no experience here, but I've always thought replacement fiberglass fenders were meant to replace the steel one? Meaning shouldn't more of the old steel be removed from the body with a smaller surface used for bonding? Structure and strength can be added to the fiberglass for support instead of covering that old rot!

[@GrindhousePerformance]

I've seen builders do it both ways, this was my first adventure going into the deep end with fiberglass and I don't know if I would've had the stomach to take off the full quarters. Im not sure what would've needed to happen to actually seal and weatherproof everything had I completely removed the inner and outer skins. I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong doing it the way I had, it was what the manufacturer of the parts had recommended

[@Hangin_With_Shane]

@@GrindhousePerformance Hey it's Cool either way and it looks kick ass...I would loose sleep over the small rot portion is all, especially all the love you're pouring into this project! I'll be patiently waiting for the next episode...ha ha ha!

[@arthurraber3839]

What did you use to bond the fiberglass to the metal body? I've always wondered how to do this. Is it similar for bonding carbon fiber body panels to the car?

[@GrindhousePerformance]

I threw a link in the description to the adhesive I used. Ive never bonded carbon to metal but I would guess the process uses a similar, if not the same one. I chose this one because it had a really long working time, and the panels were pretty large and difficult to handle by myself. It also has little beads in the adhesive, which spaces the panels out to maintain a minimum layer of adhesive between them.

[@remy7663]

@@GrindhousePerformance your fenders are only held on by adhesive? how good does it hold? on high speeds?

[@GrindhousePerformance]

@@remy7663 hey, that's correct! this adhesive is designed for bonding dissimilar material body panels on cars, it's the same product used for replacing roofs etc by body shops. This is my first time using it, but it was the product recommended to me from the body kit manufacturer. There's a pretty large surface area the quarter panels have touching the body kit, so there's quite a lot of the panel bond holding them in place. I took extra precaution following all manufacturers prep and installation guidelines with the product, so my fingers are crossed it won't be a problem 👍

[@remy7663]

@@GrindhousePerformance oh wow! sounds like a great product👍

[@GrindhousePerformance]

@@remy7663 I sure hope so! Will be a lot of work to repair if these fail

[@pro_deithbleidd]

Hello from Russia!🇷🇺♥️ Your build is not great as it could be, BUT it's so interesting to watch!

[@aidenmoore2130]

Is that a fibreglass mould of a stock panel? Or is it a wider panel?

[@GrindhousePerformance]

The kit is from Ztrix, and it takes the stock body lines and pulls the quarters out about 3"

[@aidenmoore2130]

Is that a fibreglass stock panel? Just overlaid onto the existing rear quarter?

[@arthurraber3839]

Nah, It's a lot wider. He said he was gonna be running 305s or 315s under there

[@GrindhousePerformance]

It's about 3-3.5" wider than stock I believe.

[@ThatGreen240z]

Where did you get your widebody kit?

[@GrindhousePerformance]

ZTrix.com tell John I sent ya 🤘

[@ThatGreen240z]

@@GrindhousePerformance awesome thank you!

[@JordanPayneLV]

You’ve got a lot of awesome equipment, you should put affiliate links in your descriptions to let us know your favorite tool suppliers

[@GrindhousePerformance]

That's a great idea Jordan thanks, I'll work on getting a list together!

[@suxfall9530]

where can i get the body kit?

[@GrindhousePerformance]

ZTrix.com

[@suxfall9530]

@@GrindhousePerformance thanks👏😉

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Good luck! John there is very helpful, be sure to let him know Dave sent ya 👍

[@NoSleepRacing]

Subbed. I'm a small time dyno shop. I wish I had the guts to make videos lol

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Thanks for subscribing! You would honestly not believe how many hours of takes and retakes the first several videos took for me to produce something I was happy enough with to share. Don't get too discouraged, it does get better the more you do!

[@rebuildranch1225]

Who makes the widebody panels you used? I love the look!

[@GrindhousePerformance]

They're the 280YZ kit from ztrix.com

[@johnforeman6620]

I have had two 240Zs, so I am pleased and interested to see what you are doing. I have seen machine screws substituted for the temporary fasteners at the bonding stage. They can unscrew afterwards, or even cut if they get stuck in, and are a lot cheaper than the reusable fastners.

[@josiahsanchez6486]

What are those ribbits called?

[@GrindhousePerformance]

They're called cleco fasteners- I should have a link in the description if you wanted to check them out 👍

[@odin4life]

FWIW, I was advised to "finger the inner wheel well" to install the zTrix 280YZ rear quarters: facebook.com/240ZeffR/posts/557488801043675

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Yep, had done the same! Thanks

[@GrindhousePerformance]

See what you meant now, interesting. Ah well, no going back now!

[@odin4life]

@@GrindhousePerformance I think it is necessary due to the Z being a unibody. If you didn't finger it, did you attach the cut inner fender to something?

[@GrindhousePerformance]

The inner fender is welded to the outer. I just didn't bend them all up when welded, cut them and welded the joint and slits

[@sloqlap]

My OCD would never stop nagging my brain about that little hangar and it would've bothered me to no end.

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Yeahhhhhh, there's a good chance I wind up redoing it when I redo the wheel well. It definitely bugs me now

[@magnummax78]

@@GrindhousePerformance, man, you KNOW that was wrong.🙄 However, in the name of brevity, we’ll allow THIS one. Hack on, Homie!!😁

[@dans5595]

i like the kit, but i'd rather have metal than fiberglass.

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Wish it came in metal! I'm not skilled enough to do it from scratch, although the fiberglass is definitely biting me on fitment